Static Questions – Short, Interview-Style Answers
1) DOF at portal–head beam connection
If moment-resisting (rigid): 3 DOF restrained at joint (Ux=Uy=θz locked), releases elsewhere per connection
detail. If simple shear connection: rotation free (θz free), translations restrained per bearing/bolts; effectively
transfers shear only.
2) No. of wheels at A & B (Max wheel capacity 270 kN)
Required wheels at a support = ■Reaction / 270■. Compute reactions from given loads; assign minimum
integer wheels at A and B.
3) Grades of bolts
Per IS 1367/IS 3757/IS 800: property classes 4.6, 5.6, 8.8, 10.9, 12.9 (black or HSFG). Common structural:
4.6/4.8, 8.8; HSFG uses 8.8/10.9.
4) Yield stress vs Tensile (UTS)
Yield stress Fy: stress at first plastic flow (permanent strain). Tensile/UTS Fu: max stress carried before
necking/fracture. For IS 2062 E250A, Fy≈250 MPa, Fu≈410 MPa.
5) Unit conversions
1 inch = 25.4 mm. 1 tonne = 9,810 N (≈9.81 kN). 100 N/mm² = 1 kN/cm².
6) Counterweight (sheave tension 3500 kg)
If two-part rope over sheave to CW: T each side ≈ 3500 kgf → CW ≈ 2T if both sides support CW; else CW ≈
T, depending on reeving. State arrangement then compute.
7) SFD/BMD of given beam
Find reactions via equilibrium, draw SFD by integrating loads, BMD from shear areas; mark zeros where
shear changes sign; use WL/2, WL²/8 etc. for standard cases.
8) Beam type & deflection shape (load P at mid/point)
Simply supported: sagging (concave up) under downward P. Cantilever: hogging near fixed. State type then
sketch elastic curve with max at load point/mid.
9) Load per bolt in column splice (1400 kN)
Axial share per bolt = N / n_effective. If moment present, add prying/secondary from eccentricity: Fi = N/n +
(M/Zb)·ri. Design to IS 800 cl. 10 & 10.6.
10) Types of beams
Simply supported, cantilever, fixed, continuous, propped cantilever; statically determinate/indeterminate;
prismatic/non-prismatic; overhanging.
11) No. of bolts for 150 kN compression (Tcap=90 kN, Scap=50 kN)
Compression in clip via bearing/bolt shear; if pure compression through bearing, bolts check for shear/slip.
Use required = 150 / capacity_per_bolt (governing of shear/bearing).
12) Force in guy member (30°)
Resolve: F_guy = Horizontal/ cos30 or from equilibrium ΣFx, ΣFy of the head. If top load 1.5 t vertical, tension
T = 1.5/ sin30 = 3.0 t (example).
13) Output shaft diameter (90 kW, 32:1, 1500 rpm, σ_allow=350 MPa)
Power P=2πNT/60 ⇒ torque. Use τ_allow=0.3–0.6 σ_y (per chosen theory). For solid shaft: τ = 16T/(π d³).
Solve for d with k_m,k_t if combined.
14) Sketch: shear vs moment connection
Shear connection (flexible end plate/cleat angles) releases moment; Moment connection (end plate/cover
plates/flange plates) develops hogging/sagging moments.
15) Horizontal force to move steel on concrete (µ=0.45, W=500 N)
F = µW = 0.45×500 = 225 N (min to start sliding).
16) Rod force to pull pulley; rod dia (σ_allow=160 MPa)
Use equilibrium of pulley with 35 kN each side: Resultant on pin = √(T■²+T■²−2T■T■cosθ). Rod area A =
P/σ_allow ⇒ d = √(4P/(πσ)).
17) Counterweight to balance machine (mass 10,000 kg with lever arms)
Take moments about pivot: CW × arm_CW = W × arm_W. Hence CW = (W × 17,500)/(6,250) = 2.8 W ≈
28,000 kgf (example with shown arms).
18) Load to each column supporting chute (ρ=2.2 t/m³, V=1.5 m³)
Material wt = 2.2×1.5 = 3.3 t. Add self-weight of chute if given. Divide by number of columns; include
eccentricity if off-center.
19) Structural steel grades
IS: IS 2062 E250A/B/C, E350, E410; IS 800 (design). DIN/EN: S235, S275, S355, S460 (per EN 10025).
20) Dimensioning types (V, H, A)
V: Vertical dims, H: Horizontal dims, A: Aligned dims; fill from geometry using given angles/lengths; maintain
baseline/chain dimensioning rules.
21) Member force nature
Truss bracing: usually tension/compression depending on load path; Rope/cable: tension only; Hydraulic
cylinder: can act in compression/tension; indicate arrows accordingly.
22) Volume of frustum-like pile (top 21 m, bottom 35 m, height 10 m,
L=145 m?)
If prismatic wedge: V = L × average area. For frustum of wedge at 55°: use V = h/3 (A1 + A2 + √(A1A2)).
Clarify geometry, then compute.
23) DOF for kinematic pairs
Revolute (pin): 1 DOF (θ). Prismatic: 1 DOF (translation). Spherical: 3 DOF rotation. Cylindrical: 2 DOF (θ+z).
Planar joint: 3 DOF removed, etc.
24) Force F with equal bars AO, BO
Use symmetry and Lami’s theorem at joint O: F/ sin(∠AOB)=W/ sin(…); For equal bars/loads ⇒ F = 2W
cos(θ/2) (typical result; verify angles).
25) Mass for spring tension 40 kN
T = mg ⇒ m = 40,000 / 9.81 ≈ 4,079 kg ≈ 4.08 t.
26) Max SF, BM, reactions (given UDL/point loads)
Use equilibrium for reactions, draw SFD & BMD; max |V| at load changes; max |M| where V=0. Standard
results: simply supported UDL → Mmax = wL²/8.
27) Rod under axial load
Stress = P/A. Allowable for IS 2062 E250A: use σ_all = 0.6Fy ≈ 150 MPa (or per IS 800 limit states). If σ <
σ_all ⇒ safe. Bolted connection: design for shear/bearing as per IS 800 Cl. 10.
28) IS codes
Steel design: IS 800:2007. Concrete design: IS 456:2000 (rev). Loads: IS 875 (Part 1–5). Seismic: IS 1893
(Part 1). Wind: IS 875-3. Steel materials: IS 2062.
29) Sketch: Column splice, shear & moment connections
Show plate splice with bearing/packing + splice plates; shear end plate/cleats; moment end plate/cover
plates across flanges + web plate.
30) Rope force by person (600 kN seems typo; if 600 N)
In ideal pulley supporting person: Pull = W/2 for 2:1 system. Otherwise Pull = W. State reeving; compute by
equilibrium.
31) Area & section modulus
Rectangle: A = b h; Z = b h² / 6 (about strong axis). Circle solid: A = π d²/4; Z = π d³/32.
32) Check ISMB/I 250 as beam + design shear connection (E250A, 8.8
bolts)
Compute factored loads, M_u = w_u L²/8, V_u = w_u L/2. φZ_p or Z_e check: M_u ≤ βb f_y Z / γ_m0. Shear
V_u ≤ V_rd. End plate/cleats sized, bolts in shear/bearing per IS 800.
33) RCC beam design (6 m clear between 250 mm walls, w = 9.8 kN/m,
M20, Fe415)
Effective span ≈ 6.0 + bearing. Limit state per IS 456: M_u = w_u L²/8, choose b,d, find Ast = M_u/(0.87 f_y j
d); check shear (τ_v ≤ τ_c=0.61 MPa) & deflection; provide detailing.